Better than Adam Scott and Tiger Woods; the golfer who has won $1.7 million a tournament since July

James Corrigan

DUBAI: "Tiger in his prime." That was the comparison that top English golfer Luke Donald was willing to make when summing up Henrik Stenson's performance and nobody anywhere near the 18th green on Sunday was willing to disagree.

They had just witnessed the Swede hitting a three wood 240 metres into the wind to 10 centimetres for an eagle. Stenson did not require the wonder shot - he was four clear anyway - but it was as if he wanted a clean sweep of the Race to Dubai records.

Rich pickings: Henrik Stenson with his family on the 18th green after winning the Race to Dubai. Photo: Getty Images

Nobody had won the US Tour's FedEx Cup and the European version in the same year before. Nobody had won the Tour Championship in the US and the Tour Championship in Europe before. And nobody had shot 5-under in the Race To Dubai finale before.

Stenson reset the mark set by Lee Westwood in 2009 and Rory McIlroy in 2012. That was the sort of company he was wiping from the record books with his last-round 64.

"His ball-striking has been as good as I've ever seen from anyone, probably as good as Tiger in his prime," Donald said. "It's not as if he's draining putts from everywhere."

The stats backed up Donald. In four rounds, Stenson missed only four greens, hitting 17 in regulation each day. Of course, the grandstander was to grab the headlines, but his caddie, Gareth Lord, reported that his five-iron from 158 metres to 30 centimetres on the 12th hole was "the best I've ever seen".

Lord's hyperbole was justified. He has earned so much since starting with Stenson in January that he bought himself a Ferrari a few weeks ago. "I might buy another one now," Lord quipped.

Stenson might even be able to afford the whole company, but money was the furthest thing from his mind last night. "It has been an incredible summer for me, a dream season," he said. "I played so well this week. I knew the guys would try to catch me, especially Ian who never gives up. That was great fun, having him act as my servant on the 18th."

Adam Scott after winning the Australian Masters on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images

It was a comical ending to a month-long battle which had been as competitive as it was good-natured.

At the start of the four-week stretch the Tour christened "the Final Series", Poulter asked Stenson for odds to beat him to the Harry Vardon Trophy (awarded to the golfer who wins the most money on the European Tour).

Henrik is undoubtedly the hottest player on the planet.

Stenson gave Poulter 10-1 and gladly accepted a $US100 stake.

Poulter also insisted that Stenson act as his waiter for the night if he managed to perform the unlikely leapfrog. For the next three tournaments as he made up ground on his rival, Poulter trailed a white towel over his arm whenever he was within Stenson's eyeshot.

At 4pm on Sunday, Poulter used the towel to surrender. Stenson beckoned Poulter on to the final green and told him, "You are my slave now, wipe my brow". It was the very least Poulter could do after hunting him so hard.

"What is he running on - I want some," Poulter said. "Henrik is undoubtedly the hottest player on the planet."

Henrik Stenson lines up a putt on the 11th hole with help from Gareth Lord. The caddy bought a Ferrari on the back of Stenson's earnings this year. Photo: Getty Images

That was no mean statement as Poulter, by his own admission is in "the best form of my life". The Englishman shot a 66 to finish on 19 under to claim second in the tournament and also pip Justin Rose to finish runner-up in the Race to Dubai.

In third came last week's winner, the 23-year-old Victor Dubuisson, and Paul McGinley looks almost certain to have the French rookie on his Ryder Cup team next September.

Former world No.1 Luke Donald of England has praised the performances of Stenson. Photo: Getty Images

The Europe captain will also be cheered by the display of three former world No.1s. McIlroy (67), Donald (67) and Lee Westwood (68) finished on 15 under to end their disappointing seasons on a high. But not as high as that of Stenson.

"A major next season would be the icing on the cake," he said. And what a rich cake it is.